Common Kings rule with eclectic take on island music

Pulling inspiration from artists like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Earth Wind & Fire and many traditional Polynesian musicians, Orange County’s Common Kingshave brought a new feel to the island music scene. Their eclectic repertoire and musical ability, combined with a quirky enthusiasm and humble nature, bring a fresh positive vibe to the stage. If you haven’t had the chance to see them live, they return to the Bay Area tomorrow to kick off Aloha Friday at the new Axis Nightclub in Santa Clara and Hana Hou Saturday at the Mezzanine in San Francisco (read on for how to win a pair of free tickets to Friday’s show.)

With imitation being the most sincere form of flattery, the Kings realized their music was starting to take off earlier this year when they saw covers of their songs on YouTube. Of course they see themselves as “average everyday guys” — hence the common — but their soulful sound is as diverse as the band members themselves, who literally unite the Polynesian islands: guitarist Taumata Grey (Samoa), bassist Ivan Kirimaua (Fiji/Kiribati), drummer Jerome Taito (Tonga) and the man whose fervent voice delivers a smooth seductive energy lead, singer Sasualei “JR King” Maliga (Samoa/Hawai‘i). They attribute the richness of their island heritage as a strength that brings both diversity and harmony.

“‘Kings’ is reflective of how we feel about ourselves. We take great pride in our culture and where we come from, but we also try not to take ourselves too seriously,” said Kirimaua, in a recent phone interview with the band.

Formed in 2002 as Natusol, the group continued to play music with no defined direction, but when the group changed their name and management (to Hi Rise Entertainment Group) in 2012, a new enthusiasm was set into motion. “Our feel of music is better and we understand it more,” Maliga explained. Finding their creative vision through just about anything, he noted, “We will be singing Guns N’ Roses and go into Journey.” Live, the group may bust out their cover of Michael Jackson classics with that “royal” flair. “We have set ourselves up with people so they are open to our different styles, which are out there, so they already think we are weird,” Maliga joked.

From R&B and rock ‘n’ roll to jazz and classical, a new sound has emerged that is all their own. Fans have been singing along to songs such as “Wade in Your Water,” which has young girls dreaming to be that surfer girl from the North Shore, and the popular “Alcoholic,” which has the fellas drunk off of love. For those who haven’t heard their latest on BigBody Radio (like I had the chance to), the Kings drop their new single “No Other Love” on iTunes this Friday, featuring reggae legend Fiji and Jboog, who burst onto the island music scene in 2007.

“We’ve been very blessed and fortunate to have our songs on all the radio stations in Hawai‘i, in addition to other radio stations in the South Pacific,” said Kirimaua.

With the hope that their musical abilities will take them to that next level of mainstream music, they also see their journey as a message to Polynesian people to find strength in the individuality they possess and acceptance in the differences. “We have no real boundaries,” Maliga said. “We just do what we want to do musically, and hope that we make it cool enough that people want to listen to it.”

Also taking the stage at Axis and Mezzanine will be veteran stars Rebel Souljahz from Hawai‘i, whose island-groove hits include “Nothing to Hide” and “Irie Beach Party,” with Monterey reggae act One-a-Chord opening. Sponsored by Island Sol, both shows are 9 p.m., for ages 21 and up. To be entered into a drawing at 3 p.m.8 p.m. today for a pair of free tickets to the Aloha Friday Axis show, either “like” the Hawaii Insider Facebook page for the first time or, if an existing “like,” share the Facebook update about this post with your friends, and in either case then e-mail emtuupo@gmail.com with your name. You’ll be contacted with the details via e-mail if you’ve won (your e-mail address will not be shared with any other organization.)

The Common Kings tour continues with shows at Martini Ranch in Scottsdale, Ariz., Aug. 16 and the Emerald Ballroom at the San Diego Westin, Aug. 17, before a Texas detour on the way to the Sept. 8 AlohaLauLea in Honolulu; click here for details.

— Emily Tuupo

Common Kings will perform at Axis in Santa Clara this Friday and Mezzanine in San Francisco Saturday.